Block for receiving rail-fixing devices in reinforced-concrete sleepers.



G. LIEBEAUX & F. HENNEBI BLOCK :FOR .REGBIVING RAIL FIXING DBVIGES INREINF@ GONGRBTE SLBEPBRS. APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 27, 1908.

932,300. Patented Aug.24,19o9.

' y: @H-www" @y i /fl ff'li @Fly 3@ y? Ey l l l] j Fra ngow'sHennfbmW/Le G. LI'EBEAUX & F. HENNBBIQUE. BLOCK P OR RECEIVING RAILFIXING DEVICES IN REINFORGED ONGRETE SLBEPERS.

932,300. ArPLIoAHoN FILED JUNE 21, 190s. Patented Aug. 24, 1909.

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UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEioE.

GASTON LIEBEA'UX, 0F NANTES, AND FRANQOIS HENNEBIQUE, 0F PARIS, FRANCE.

BLOCK FOR RECEIVING RAIL-FIXING DEVICES IN REINFORCED-CONCREIE SLEEPERS.

T0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, GASTON LIEBEAUX and FRANQoIs HENNEBIQUE, citizensof the Republic of France, residing at Nantes and Iaris, respectively,both in the Republic of France, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Blocks for Receiving Rail-Fixing Devices inReinforced-Concrete Sleepers.

In our previous patent application, dated May 6th, 1907, Serial No.372,078, Systems of reinforced concrete sleepers for railways weredescribed, one of the characteristics of which consists in the insertionin the interior of cells formed in the heads of each sleeper, of one ormore removable wood blocks. These wood blocks being retained in theirpositions by suitable means wedges, keys, spikes or bolts) serve for thefixing of the rails by the ordinary methods.

The invention which will now be hereinafter described consists inarrangements for securing the blocks in the interior of the cells of theheads of the sleepers with a view to dispensing with wedges, spikes andthe like, or any other analogous means of fixing, and in the productionof blocks intended to be substituted for the wood blocks mentioned inthe previous application, the use of which has certain drawbacks, dueprincipally to variations of temperature as well as alternations ofdryness and moisture.

In the accompanying drawings z-Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of asleeper head with removable blocks retained in place without wedges orspikes; Fig. 2 is a corresponding horizontal pl-an; Fig. 3 is atransverse section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 2; Figs. 4L, 5 and G arerespectively three modifications of the arrangement of Figs. l, 2 and 3,in longitudinal section, plan view and transverse sections through themovable block serving for the lixing of the rail and through theadjacent block forming a key; Figs. 7, S and 9 show respectively, in asimilar way, a longitudinal section, a horizontal plan, and a transversesection of an arrangement yielding the same result without the use ofkeys; Figs. 7A and 9A are sectional views, the former a longitudinal,and the latter a transverse section, for making the constructionreferred to clearer. Figs.`10 to 1l relate to the manufacture oftheblocks Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led .Tune 27, 1908.

Serial N0. 440,742.

intended for receiving the means forixing the rails.

In these igures the same letters indicate the same parts or the samedevices.

Patented Aug. 24:, 1909.

In the arrangement in Figs. l-3 the blocks c intended to receive thedevices for fixing the rails are held in position simply by keys g ofcement or any other suitable material, a block c and a key g beingjuxtaposed in each cell or slot formed in one of the heads a of thesleeper. The block c and the adj acent key g bear downward on twoshoulders it suitably reserved in the interior of the cell, and to theform of which they adapt themselves; further the block c is providedwith a projecting part o* at the lower part of the face opposite to thatin contact with the key g. This project-ion c* lodges in a recessreserved Afor this purpose in the sleeper, under a shoulder h when theblock 0 is inserted. The faces of the block c and of the key g which arein contact follow an inclined plane p 70 and a plane p p of similarinclination is found on the opposite face of the key g in contact withthe sleeper.

It is evident that if a cell is provided with its block c and its key gas shown in the drawings, any stress may be exerted on the block c whichreceives the rail fixing device, wit-hout its being possible for it tobe drawn out of its position. It is, however, easy to change this block,by first removing the key g and then causing the block c to slip intoits place, which block may then in its turn be raised vertically. By aninverse operation the block c and the key g are also equally easily putin position. It is important to reiark that the Obliquity of the twofaces of the key g and of one face of the block c according to theplanes p p and p p is not indispensable, but these faces may also bevertical. Similarly the form of the shoulders h h" may vary. Inclinedplanes suitably directed might even be substituted for theseprojections.

As an example Figs. 4, 5 and 6 represent constructive modications which,however, alter nothing in the nature of the invention. In thesemodificationsthe blocks cv and the keys g are put in'place and withdrawnfrom their cell in the same way as in the arrangement shown in Figs.1,-3.

Vith the `arrangement shown .in '.7, 8

and 9 the result indicated hereinbefore is obtained without the use ofthe key g. In order to attain this object the blocks c have two of theirfaces parallel and directed along planes g g and g g oblique Arelativeto the bases; these blocks are lodged naturally in cells of the sameform with shoulders or ledges L. It is evident that with such anarrangementV of the rail fixing de\ vice, for instance, a treenailengaging over the flange of the rail and exerting on the block c anapproximately vertical pressure, it is impossible to cause the saidblock to emerge from its location in this way, because in order tooperate this emergence the block c must necessarily be caused to slidein a direction parallel to its edges Which faces, as the same vobjectwould be attainedr by directing obliquely the lateral faces. The sameresult would `be also obtained by giving tothe said block the form of anoblique prism.

By referring to Figs. 7 8, 9, it may be seen that the blocks haverespectively two of their faces g g and g Q, inclined vin parallelplanes, but directed inversely in each block. These inclined faces arevisible in the longitudinal section in Fig. 7. But instead of giving thefaces the inclinations shown, the same result may be obtained byinclining the lateral faces of 4the blocks, thereby constituting amodification.

The form of the blocks .c such as shown in the drawings, is notabsolutely fixed, but this form is capable of numerous modificationsadapted to present the characteristics heref inbefore set forth. Theblocks c may be of wood, but it is possible to make them in such a waythat differences of temperature, humidity or dryness have no influenceon them. Thus blocks little sensitive lto changes of temperature areobtained by forming these blocks by means of strips of Wood of variableand suitable thickness, caused to adhere one lto the other, care beingtaken to cross the fibers. Blocks fulfilling the requirementshereinbefore mentioned may also be obtained by Amolding these blocks ofcement beton, reinforced or otherwise, or of any other compositionadapted to yield the same result. It is possible to arrange these blocksin such a Way that they rbehave in practice as regards the fixing of therails exactly like wood blocks. In order to attain this object, thekblock .of cement is combined with one or more pieces or plugs of woodkof small Idimensions and ofzcylindrical or trunfblock c provided withtwo plugs C C2. The blocks vc being engaged and fixed in one of thecells formed in a sleeper of reinforced cement beton, the plugs C mustbe at a suitable place for receiving the rail fixing device. f

It has `been hereinbefore stated that the plugs C are cylindrical ortruncated conical but of course the truncated conical form would bepreferable, because its form itself then is opposed to any verticaldisplacement of the said plugs or pegs.

Figs. 12, 13 .and l-/l represent in front view and horizontal sectionseveral truncated conical plugs C. Some, Figs. 12 and 13, are ofpolygonal section, the effect of which is to avoid any rotary movementof the plugs after having been inserted. As regards the plug shown inFig. 14, which is offcircular section, any rotary motion is also avoidedby employing a 4notch 0 formed at a suitable point in the heightof theplug, and which is filledwith cement beton at the moment of making theblock c. Of course two or more notches 0 may if desired be formed on aplug C. It is interesting to remark that the use of like notches withcylindrical plugs'and plugs of .circular or prismatic section, alsoprevents any vertical displacement of these plugs in their blocks c. Thewood plugs C are cut out from blocks of wood soas to present theirfibers either horizontally or vertically, after being inclosed in ablock of cement 0, the direction of the said fibers in one or other ofythe said directions being capable of being utilized according to thedirections of pressure. Finally these blocks may also be cutout of`blocks formed of strips of wood stuck together and with fibersreversed. The blocks c provided with one ormore plugs C may be employedin all sleepers of reinforced concrete or cement beton provided withblocks of wood, whatever may be the system.

live declare Ythat what we claim is:-

l. A sleeper having cells formed therein, removable :blocks fitting insaid cells, inter locking projecting parts on the walls of said cellsand said blocks preventing vertical displacement of said blocks, andremovable key pieces inserted in said cells :and preventing lateral.displacementof said blocks substantially as described.

f2. The combination of a rail, a sleeper un- In Witness whereof, We havehereunto 10 der said rail, and having a recess extending signed ournames this 15 day of June 1908, from under said rail to one sidethereof, a in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

rail supporting block in said recess and under said rail, a key also insaid recess and bearing against said block, said recess being oi a sizeto permit the key and block to be Witnesses:

i'enioved from said sleeper Without remov- H. C. COKE,

ing said rail. ALPHONSE MEJEAN.

